The Assisted Living Waiver program gives Medicaid-eligible adults the opportunity to live in an approved assisted living facility. It is an alternative for people who need long term care, but not a nursing home.  Assisted living offers residents more independence, privacy, opportunities for social interaction, and services more tailored to their needs.

Client Profile

Who qualifies for the program

Who runs the program

Facilities currently offering the waiver

Fact sheets and phone numbers

Faith Fudge: Assisted Living Waiver Client Profile

With her eyesight nearly gone due to macular degeneration, Faith Fudge agreed with her family that the time had come to leave her home and enter a nursing facility.

She moved from a senior housing complex in West Carrollton to Hawthorne Glen Nursing Center and Senior Living Campus near Middletown.  She loved the atmosphere, food and friendly staff, but wasn’t so happy to be sharing a room after living on her own for 20 years.

Then, after nearly two years at Hawthorne Glen, Mrs. Fudge, 95, was able to move into her own room in the assisted living wing. 

The change came because, beginning July 1, 2006, Ohio’s Medicaid program began paying for elderly and disabled adults to receive care in assisted living facilities.  Previously, assisted living was not an option. This often left people no choice except to live in a nursing home in order to get Medicaid if they were low-income or had depleted their assets. 

Assisted living offers residents more independence, privacy and services more tailored to their needs.  Long-sought by advocates for the aging, the assisted living waiver is an alternative for people who need long term care, but not a nursing home.

Now, Mrs. Fudge, a former registered nurse, has a pleasant, airy room with French doors that open onto a patio.

“I was able to bring my own furniture,” she said. “In the morning, I have coffee on the patio and the Lord and I talk over what I’m going to do for the day. I just can’t say enough good things about his place.  I’m very, very happy here.”

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Who qualifies for this program?

In order to be eligible for the Assisted Living Waiver the individual must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a nursing facility (NF) resident seeking admission to a residential care facility that would remain in an NF for long term care if not for the waiver.

• Be a participant on one of Ohio’s Medicaid Waiver Programs who would move to a NF if not for the Assisted Living Waiver.

• Be a current resident of an assisted living facility who has paid privately for at least six months.

In addition to one of the above, the participant must have a documented need for hands on assistance with at least two activities of daily living and also 21 years of age or older.

A Council on Aging registered nurse or licensed social worker will meet with the interested party to determine Assisted Living Program eligibility.

For those who qualify, Council on Aging staff will develop an individual service plan/care plan with the client, his/her family, and the Assisted Living facility staff. 

To determine if you are eligible for the Assisted Living Waiver, please call Council on Aging at (513) 721-7670.

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Who runs this program?

Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio is the Assisted Living Waiver program administrator responsible for participant assessment, case management and contract management with facility providers in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren Counties.

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Facilities currently offering the Assisted Living Waiver*

*This list changes. Please check back for updates.

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Information for Providers:

• Assisted Living Waiver Fact Sheet
• Assisted Living Waiver FAQs for Providers

Information for Older Adults and Families:

• Assisted Living Waiver Fact Sheet - NEW!
• Assisted Living Waiver FAQs for Older Adults and Families - UPDATED!
• Understanding the Assisted Living Waiver Program - A Consumer Guide from the Ohio Department of Aging - NEW!

For More Information:

(513) 721-7670 or

(800) 252-0155

TTY/TDD 513-651-0691

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